Boss lauds young guns

Photo: Alan Howarth

SMILE...Goal scorer Ryan McLaughlin (right) gets a hug from Paul Green after extending Athletic's lead against Coventry.

ATHLETIC'S young guns received a pat on the back from boss John Sheridan after a second-half blitz proved enough to push the club outside the relegation zone.

Teenager Aiden O'Neill came to the fore with some telling driving runs to help send Coventry packing and energetic 21-year-old full-back Rob Hunt was compared to legend Denis Irwin by Sheridan, who praised the way the duo have adapted to the imperfect conditions in Sky Bet League One.

"In the Premier League academies, every game is playing on a beautiful bowling green pitch where players can pass to each other on the floor easily," said Sheridan, who goes for a fifth win in eight outings in tomorrow's home clash with Charlton (7.45pm kick-off).

"It is totally different in this division and it's something Aiden has to get used to.

'GOOD SPELL'

"But he was excellent in the second half and he had a really good spell when we were on top, driving forward.

"He could possibly have scored two or three himself. He put us on the front foot, winning second balls and gaining ground.

"Rob Hunt is a good little player and he reminds me of Denis Irwin a little bit. I hope he turns out as good as him.

"He's a steady-eddie who never really makes any mistakes and gives you seven-and-a-half out of 10 every week. He doesn't get flustered and I like players who, if they make a mistake, just carry on.

"He's a grafter who is not frightened to get stuck in, but also a good footballer too.

"He has come out of the Brighton system and it's difficult.

"They are two young lads, but I like what they have got about them."

Sheridan did admit that not everything went to plan in the 3-2 defeat of the Sky Blues, with Ryan Flynn and Ousmane Fane withdrawn on the hour in favour of Michael Ngoo and Ollie Banks respectively.

"I played Ryan Flynn up front for his cleverness, but if we are not using him the way we should, it's hard for him," Sheridan added.

"Chris Taylor has a lot more to offer. But we are not always going to play well and sometimes you have to grind it out.

"A 20-minute spell in the second half won us the game and we got goals at an important time."

Striker Aaron Amadi-Holloway could miss tomorrow's clash against a Charlton side who drew 1-1 at Wimbledon, having been helped off the field in the 19th minute with a knee problem.

"He got a kick on his knee," Sheridan said. "He is in the physio's hands, but he is going to be sore.

"We have had a lot of tough games and one or two look a bit leggy, so we will look after them and see who is fit and available as to whether I freshen things up for Charlton tomorrow."